In the day and age of self deification, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is upset the Los Angeles Lakers have not immortalized his greatness yet with a statue outside Staples Center according to the Sporting News.

“I don’t understand (it). It’s either an oversight or they’re taking me for granted. I’m not going to try to read people’s minds, but it doesn’t make me happy. It’s definitely a slight. I feel slighted,” Kareem Abdul-Jabbar told the Sporting News.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar also sent the Sporting News an official statement about his feelings on the lack of a statue. “I am highly offended by the total lack of acknowledgement of my contribution to Laker success. I guess being the lynchpin for five world championships is not considered significant enough in terms of being part of Laker history.”

Usually words like this would draw an immediate, “get over yourself” reaction. But this is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were talking about here. He is one of the greatest all-time basketball players in NBA (and NCAA college basketball) history.

Michael Jordan has a statue outside Chicago’s United Center. Heck, even Tim Tebow has a statue at the University of Florida and Auburn University is expected to erect a statue of Cam Newton soon.

Lakers spokesperson John Black told the Sporting News the next statue a Lakers player will be Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but there is no timetable for that. Currently, the Staples Center has five statues surrounding the arena, Magic Johnson, Jerry West, Chick Hearn, Wayne Gretzky and Oscar De La Hoya.

Does Kareem Abdul-Jabbar have a legitimate beef with the Lakers organization here or does he need to get over himself?